Smith's Park: Difference between revisions
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The park was the site of various large events of the 1880s and 1890s such as the [[Buffalo Bill Wild West Show]], which encamped there on five occassions. It showed on maps through the mid 1920s and was indicated on the [[1924]] proposal by the Olmsted Brothers for "[[A Park System for Birmingham]]" as a "proposed park". It was later subdivided and developed for commercial use. | The park was the site of various large events of the 1880s and 1890s such as the [[Buffalo Bill Wild West Show]], which encamped there on five occassions. It showed on maps through the mid 1920s and was indicated on the [[1924]] proposal by the Olmsted Brothers for "[[A Park System for Birmingham]]" as a "proposed park". It was later subdivided and developed for commercial use. | ||
On [[January 16]]-[[January 17]], [[1906]] the [[Sells & Downs | On [[January 16]]-[[January 17]], [[1906]] the [[Sells & Downs Shows]], a 22-car circus managed by [[Martin J. Downs]] and wintering in Birmingham, was auctioned off at Smith's Park, including tents, cook-houses, railroad cars, wagons, cages, a steam calliope and a costume wardrobe along with an extensive animal menagerie. After the sale, Downs continued as manager of the newly-renamed [[Great Cole Brothers United Shows]] which began its season at Smith's Park with a benefit for the [[Birmingham Lodge No. 79|Elks' Lodge]] charity fund in April. | ||
Smith Park was subdivided into business lots for sale by the Smith Estate in October [[1925]]. A railway corridor connecting the [[Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad]] with other lines was constructed through the former park. The [[Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building]] was built on 12 of the parcels adjoining that rail line in [[1929]]. | Smith Park was subdivided into business lots for sale by the Smith Estate in October [[1925]]. A railway corridor connecting the [[Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad]] with other lines was constructed through the former park. The [[Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building]] was built on 12 of the parcels adjoining that rail line in [[1929]]. A portion of the southern end of Smith's Park, replatted as [[Block 286]], was used for bus parking adjacent to the [[Birmingham Railway, Light & Power Company car barn & shops]] in the 1930s. | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Latest revision as of 11:33, 4 July 2024
Smith's Park was a race track and park ground developed by Joseph Riley Smith in 1879 on the eastern edge of his Smithfield residential development. He purchased the property from James Ware and eventually deeded it to the City of Birmingham.
The park was the site of various large events of the 1880s and 1890s such as the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, which encamped there on five occassions. It showed on maps through the mid 1920s and was indicated on the 1924 proposal by the Olmsted Brothers for "A Park System for Birmingham" as a "proposed park". It was later subdivided and developed for commercial use.
On January 16-January 17, 1906 the Sells & Downs Shows, a 22-car circus managed by Martin J. Downs and wintering in Birmingham, was auctioned off at Smith's Park, including tents, cook-houses, railroad cars, wagons, cages, a steam calliope and a costume wardrobe along with an extensive animal menagerie. After the sale, Downs continued as manager of the newly-renamed Great Cole Brothers United Shows which began its season at Smith's Park with a benefit for the Elks' Lodge charity fund in April.
Smith Park was subdivided into business lots for sale by the Smith Estate in October 1925. A railway corridor connecting the Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad with other lines was constructed through the former park. The Long-Lewis Hardware Co. building was built on 12 of the parcels adjoining that rail line in 1929. A portion of the southern end of Smith's Park, replatted as Block 286, was used for bus parking adjacent to the Birmingham Railway, Light & Power Company car barn & shops in the 1930s.
References
- "Will Winter in Birmingham" (December 1905) The Billboard
- "R.R. In Smith Park Soon to be Begun." (August 15, 1926) The Birmingham News
- "Many People Witness Opening of the New Modern Building of Long-Lewis Hardware Co." (July 1929) Jemison Magazine. Vol. 1, No. 15, p. 2